Kenyan sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala joins Team Visa as Global Brand Ambassador

Visa, the global leader in digital payments, has unveiled a thrilling addition to its esteemed Team Visa athlete roster. African sprint sensation Ferdinand Omanyala, a rising star from Kenya, has joined the ranks of world-class athletes preparing to make their mark at the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024.

Team Visa, renowned for its unwavering support of athletes both on and off the track, stands as a powerful pillar of inspiration for athletes worldwide, offering financial backing, assistance in philanthropic endeavors, financial literacy tools, and essential mental health and wellness resources.

Ferdinand Omanyala's inclusion in Team Visa is a testament to his meteoric rise in the world of sprinting and his ability to inspire fans not only in Kenya but across the globe. His journey to becoming a household name in athletics is nothing short of remarkable.

In August 2021, Omanyala etched his name in the annals of history as the first Kenyan sprinter to shatter the elusive ten-second barrier, setting a blazing new African record with a mind-boggling 9.77 seconds in September of the same year. His ascendancy continued in June 2022 when he claimed the title of African champion. However, the pinnacle of his achievements came in August, when he clinched Kenya's first 100m gold at the Commonwealth Games in 60 years.

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"Africa has borne witness to the rise of an exceptional talent in the sprinting arena over the last three years, as Omanyala has continually broken new ground in his career. We are immensely proud to welcome Omanyala to Team Visa and to champion all that he stands for," said Eva Ngigi-Sarwari, Ag. General Manager for East Africa at Visa. "Omanyala is an embodiment of what unwavering determination and dedication can achieve, serving as an inspiration to the next generation of athletes."

Since 2000, the Team Visa athlete program has championed more than 600 Olympic and Paralympic athletes selected based on their athletic achievements, community involvement, and alignment with Visa’s core values of equality, access, and inclusion.

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Reflecting on his journey, Ferdinand Omanyala stated, "I embarked on my athletic journey at a young age, and while I'm still learning and growing, I am determined to use my voice to become a role model for young people. Joining Team Visa alongside so many incredible athletes will enable me to continue advocating for what's important to me, advancing the sport, and addressing the social issues that matter most to me."

As Ferdinand Omanyala stands poised to represent Kenya and Team Visa on the grand stage of the Paris 2024 Olympics, his story serves as a powerful testament to the pursuit of dreams, dedication, and the unyielding spirit of human potential. His journey will undoubtedly inspire countless aspiring athletes, embodying the essence of Team Visa's commitment to empowering athletes and championing their aspirations, both within and beyond the arena.